The Missing Link
The Missing Link
The biggest barrier to employee development isn’t budget. It isn't a lack of tools or even training. It’s mindset.
The Missing Link in Employee Development
This summer, as I listen to what leaders are struggling with, a clear theme keeps rising to the surface: The biggest barrier to employee development isn’t budget. It isn't a lack of tools or even training. It’s mindset.
Let me explain. Companies everywhere are sounding the alarm on upskilling. With AI, sustainability, automation, customer expectations, and resilience all redefining the future of work (as Forbes recently laid out), there’s no question that professional development is essential—not optional. And yet, the Gallup research Steve McClatchy recently shared tells a sobering story:
59% of CHROs say development is their biggest organizational struggle
Only 45% of employees received training for their current job last year
89% of CHROs cite “time away from responsibilities” as the top barrier
Here’s what’s more concerning: Employees who feel unsupported by their managers are more likely to leave. In fact, having a supervisor who blocks growth is the strongest predictor of turnover intent. That should be a wake-up call!
So what’s really in the way? A limiting mindset. Too often, professional development is seen as a luxury. Something to get to when there’s “time.” But the truth is, investing in your people is the fastest way to solve your current problems, increase engagement and productivity, increase your profitability while reducing turnover, especially of your star employees. Leadership and professional development is not a break from the work. It is the work. When you empower your leadership and employees to be at their best, the company will operate at its best. This has been proven over and over again.
We need a new mindset that sees development not as an expense, but as a multiplier. When leaders free their people to grow, the business grows…because people development is business development.
At ROI, we believe that’s not just a philosophy—it’s a winning strategy. For those of you looking for a place to begin, one of my clients, The Main Line Chamber of Commerce, is recruiting for the Leadership Principles & Profiles™ (LP&P) program. I facilitate this program for the Main Line Chamber, and it is one of the most actionable, transformative ways to equip managers and leaders for today’s challenges. If this message resonates with you, LP&P will give you ROI on your learning and development investment. To learn more go to the Main Line Chamber’s website. Open enrollment is now!
